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Russian FA gives Guus go-ahead for Chelsea

BELEK, Turkey - Russian football chiefs have given their approval for national team coach Guus Hiddink to manage Chelsea until the end of the season, a senior Russia FA official told Reuters on Tuesday.

Published

10 February 2009

"We don't see it as a problem," Russian FA general director Alexei Sorokin said in a telephone interview from Moscow. "The timetable of the national team allows Guus to combine the two jobs."

Hiddink said earlier that he had been approached by the Premier League club to coach the team temporarily after Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked on Monday.

Chelsea also issued a statement saying they had been granted permission by Russia's FA to speak to the Dutchman.

"The RFU is prepared to agree to this proposal, especially considering that the combination of the two jobs does not go against the provisions of Hiddink's contract with the RFU," the RFU said in an official statement.

"The RFU is convinced that this cooperation will not impede the Russian national team's preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

"The RFU emphasises that Hiddink will continue to carry out his duties under the existing contract, which stipulates that he shall head the Russian national team until July 2010," it added.

"Details of (Hiddink's) combining the two jobs will be discussed during a coming meeting between the RFU and Chelsea managements."